The Custer County Supervisors held their regular meeting at 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 30th, on the top floor of the Custer County Courthouse. Sara Parliment and Barry Fox were absent. Anne Gibbons could not attend the meeting but participated by speaker phone. Due to open meeting regulations, Gibbons could not vote on any issues.
After routinely approving the minutes and committee reports, the Custer County Supervisors voted to enter into a Board of Equalization session to consider requests from Sheri Bryant, Custer County Treasurer. The Supervisors approved a resolution to renew the substitution of securities for First National Bank in Sargent. Additionally, they granted three motor vehicle tax exemptions for Brookstone View and an exemption for a vehicle used by Custer Care Center for charitable causes.
After returning to regular session, the Custer County 911 Advisory Committee reported to the Supervisors. Emergency Manager Mark Rempe, Central Nebraska Economic Development District Executive Director Carla Kimball, and Advisory Committee member Arnold Fire Chief Andrew Tickle presented information they have been gathering at the Supervisors’ request. The committee responded to the Supervisor’s challenge to come up with a method for finding a new solution for dispatch facilities for 911 to allow for future expansion. The committee presented two options for expansion. The first would be a total remodel of the courthouse basement with an estimated cost of $3,367,000. The second option would be a new 4,000-square-foot building with an estimated cost of $4,192,000. Both options include furnishing and communications equipment. Supervisor Tammy Kleeb did not favor the courthouse remodel due to previous water issues and unknown costs in renovating the historic building. The other board members agreed. With Ms. Kimble’s help, the committee plans to apply for a Community Project Grant through the office of 3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith. Rempe told the Supervisors that he would not come to them for any money if the grant application failed and that the proposed project would end.
Applications submitted by Custer Public Power and Downey Well to cross county right of way on county roads were all approved.
Custer County Recycling Manager Kelly Flynn delivered the Quarterly Recycling Report, providing an update on the recycling status. Kelly noted that the inventory is down as they recently sold the plastic stock at 5 cents per pound. Flynn acknowledged that the price could have been better, but it was better than the last time they sold the plastic inventory.
The Supervisors followed the recommendation by Custer County Attorney Steve Bowers, who suggested a three-year lease for the Pamida lot with a standard 90-day notification period for termination by either party. The lease contract guidelines were unanimously approved.
A public hearing was held to obtain input on terminating the Corner Township Board. No representatives from Corner Township attended the hearing. Only 13 people live in Corner Township, and there are not enough willing to serve on the board. County Clerk Connie Gracey noted there is a 30-day waiting period before termination. At that time, the county will become responsible for the Township’s business.
The Supervisors again elected to enter into the Board of Equalization to hear recommendations from County Assessor Elise Taylor concerning tax list corrections over, under, and omitted valuations. Ms. Taylor also made recommendations for Permissive Tax Exemption applications. The Supervisors elected to follow all of Taylor’s recommendations.
During the meeting, the Supervisors announced that Burlington Northern Santa Fe has finally notified the county that the letting process may begin for re-construction at the entrance road and railroad crossing adjacent to Country Partners Coop Elevators south of Anselmo, alongside Highway 2.
